News and developments on Freedom of Information in the UK. This blog is run by the Campaign for Freedom of Information. It was established in May 2003 by Steve Wood, who ran it until the end of February 2007 when he took up the post of Assistant Commissioner at the Information Commissioner's Office.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Media roundup

Guardian - Falconer is forced to reveal diary in freedom milestone "Lord Falconer, the secretary of state for constitutional affairs, has been forced to reveal details of his ministerial diary in an important victory for the Freedom of Information Act."

Observer- Free to find out all you want?"Jon Robins on how the Freedom of Information Act can be used to find out everything from MRSA levels in your hospital to planned air traffic over your home."

New Scientist - Details of US microwave-weapon tests revealed "Little information about its effects has been released, but details of tests in 2003 and 2004 were revealed after Edward Hammond, director of the US Sunshine Project - an organisation campaigning against the use of biological and non-lethal weapons - requested them under the Freedom of Information Act."

Cumberland News - £65m paid to farmers"The Government’s Rural Payments Agency has just revealed details of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy, in response to a request by The Cumberland News under the new Freedom of Information Act."

South Wales Evening Post - Shock of councils' electricity spend"Shock new figures obtained by the Post have revealed the scale of the electricity bills our councils are running up. The figures have been obtained under the Freedom of Information Act."

Eastern Daily Press - Norwich denied food safety information"The public is being denied basic information about food hygiene and safety in Norwich's hundreds of cafés, restaurants and takeaways. A veil of secrecy still hangs over Norwich City Council's food inspection reports after it refused to release details of those premises which present the greatest threat to customers' health."

South Wales Evening Post - Dylan Thomas data is blocked"Education bosses in Swansea have blocked an attempt to try to get key information into the closure of Dylan Thomas School made public, it was revealed today. Chairman of the school's governing committee Dereck Roberts had lodged a Freedom of Information request with Swansea Council."

US FOIANewsday- Critics: Terror fears prompting government secrecy"Environmental and government watchdog groups said Friday that proposed changes to a law that allows public access to government records go overboard in hiding information in the name of homeland security."